Just a little ways down the road from Olympic Heights was Tar Paper City. Famous residents there included Porky and Snot Blossom. It was just a small cluster of homes, in a very poor neighborhood. Called Tar Paper city because most of the homes there had no shingles for siding,just the tar paper. The residents were down on their luck types and generally considered to have little ambition. There was a mentally challenged boy there too. We called him Buzzy.
In the late nineteen fifties and throughout the sixties we were not what you would describe as sensitive people. You could probably tell that by the monikers given. Everyone in town would have known where, and about whom you were talking, using those names. I never gave it a thought. Olympic Heights was the name of a service station. Garage we called it. It was owned by friends of my father and I spent quite a bit of time there. You really get to know a lot of the local characters in a place like that. Later on I did discover that Olympic Heights was originally to be a planned neighborhood. Situated on a rise in the landscape, the grandiose name, Olympic Heights was chosen. It never panned out. There were a few homes there but at the end of a dirt road. Two pillars did stand at the entrance road looking forlorn and neglected.
Back then we had many colorful names for people and places. Most would be considered politically incorrect and downright offensive by today's standards. The descriptions were apt though. At the time little thought was given to such things, and now they are reflected upon with wonder.
There was a lot less anger back then. People were not so easily offended or put upon as they appear to be today. It is true that some of the names used you didn't use to their face, but the name was known. It was just a courtesy extended. I think we were taught to" just own it" back then. If you didn't want to own that, it was up to you to change it. Change was possible, but came about by action and not words. People in general were less likely to press the issue. We stayed in our " neck of the woods " and others stayed in theirs. It really wasn't a racial or economically biased thing, it just was. My friends,family and familiar environs are here,why would I want to go there ? That was the attitude. You could say we were comfortable in our roles.
As the years moved on, we progressed. Now we are aware of others feelings and sensitivities. We choose our words carefully for fear of offending. We boldly stride through whatever neck of the forest we choose and demand acceptance. Unacceptable behaviors,whether real or perceived, will be dealt with. Litigation being the primary weapon. Even the slightest slip could be met with ostracization. The world has become vastly more complex. Is it better ? That, I suppose, depends upon how you define better. The old ways weren't so bad.
In the late nineteen fifties and throughout the sixties we were not what you would describe as sensitive people. You could probably tell that by the monikers given. Everyone in town would have known where, and about whom you were talking, using those names. I never gave it a thought. Olympic Heights was the name of a service station. Garage we called it. It was owned by friends of my father and I spent quite a bit of time there. You really get to know a lot of the local characters in a place like that. Later on I did discover that Olympic Heights was originally to be a planned neighborhood. Situated on a rise in the landscape, the grandiose name, Olympic Heights was chosen. It never panned out. There were a few homes there but at the end of a dirt road. Two pillars did stand at the entrance road looking forlorn and neglected.
Back then we had many colorful names for people and places. Most would be considered politically incorrect and downright offensive by today's standards. The descriptions were apt though. At the time little thought was given to such things, and now they are reflected upon with wonder.
There was a lot less anger back then. People were not so easily offended or put upon as they appear to be today. It is true that some of the names used you didn't use to their face, but the name was known. It was just a courtesy extended. I think we were taught to" just own it" back then. If you didn't want to own that, it was up to you to change it. Change was possible, but came about by action and not words. People in general were less likely to press the issue. We stayed in our " neck of the woods " and others stayed in theirs. It really wasn't a racial or economically biased thing, it just was. My friends,family and familiar environs are here,why would I want to go there ? That was the attitude. You could say we were comfortable in our roles.
As the years moved on, we progressed. Now we are aware of others feelings and sensitivities. We choose our words carefully for fear of offending. We boldly stride through whatever neck of the forest we choose and demand acceptance. Unacceptable behaviors,whether real or perceived, will be dealt with. Litigation being the primary weapon. Even the slightest slip could be met with ostracization. The world has become vastly more complex. Is it better ? That, I suppose, depends upon how you define better. The old ways weren't so bad.
Those pillars are still standing that announce the entrance to "Olympic Heights"!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if people were less offended in those days or perhaps our insensitivity made those offended keep their mouths shut. I do think our more sensitive natures are probably a good thing though!